Tenacity. Don’t pursue grant funding without it!

According to Webster, tenacity is defined as “holding firmly; strongly cohesive or adhesive; persistent or stubborn.” Each of these phrases can be applied to the strategies and tactics of obtaining grant funding.

There’s temptation to expect immediate results from seeking funding support for the organization you’re in support of or working for. The need you serve to your constituent base always seems unfulfilled when funds were needed yesterday, which is why when you ask for a year-end donation you expect it relatively soon after the email or mail campaign or when you request sponsorship support for your upcoming event it should at the very latest come to you post-event. But when it comes to grants, dig your heels in and approach it like a marathon, training and all.

I was just informed that a recent grant proposal for one of our long-time clients was declined for the request of $75,000, but was instead allocated a $25,000 contribution. This same funder gave us $80,000 three years ago, declined us the next year, and then gave us $25,000 this year. Fickle? Yes. Frustrating? Sure. Worth the effort? Of course.

This long-haul funder relationship and funding pursuit has ultimately provided our organization the much needed support of $105,000 over three years, or $35,000 a year. How this breaks down:

• Over 1000% return on investment of time and resources from the organization;
• Approximately 455 constituents served; and
• Imperative operational support, particularly post-recession.

The value is apparent. However, let’s take it one more step: Had we not continued our relationship and tenacious pursuit of this funder’s support, we could have missed an opportunity to receive support that was much needed in our current economic state and whose fallout effects were largely unpredictable. Remain tenacious in pursuit of grant funding. Otherwise, stick to the short sprints, but be weary of burnout for you and your organization.